25 years ago

DRIVERS sweltered as roadworks closed Hart Street in Henley on Sunday, causing massive tailbacks on all the entry roads to the town. They had to sweat it out as traffic queues stretched as far as Hurley coming in over Henley Bridge, back to Tesco on Reading Road and all along Fair Mile. Traffic warden Helen Anderson described the scene as “absolute chaos” as residents and visitors attempted to negotiate their way around.

There were angry scenes at Henley town hall on Tuesday night when more than 100 people packed into the council chamber to protest against pedestrianisation. Residents and traders rallied at the special meeting of the town council. Jeers of disapproval rang round the chamber as a motion to introduce public consultation three months into the trial traffic scheme was voted down.

A scheme to turn redundant gravel pits into a water centre and leisure park at Sonning Eye has been abandoned. Lefarge Redland has withdrawn its £30 million plan after learning it was unlikely to be granted planning permisison by South Oxfordshire District Council. The proposals also included 200 houses, a hotel, pub and gym.